House backs expanding religious charities' role in social programs

Published: Friday, July 20, 2001

Associated Press

WASHINGTON {AP} In a victory for President Bush, the Republican-controlled House approved legislation Thursday expanding the role of religious charities in federal social programs. Opponents complained vociferously the bill would pre-empt state and local anti-discrimination laws.

The 233-198 vote represented a down payment on Bush's campaign pledge to "rally the armies of compassion" to attack the nation's social ills. The bill faces an uncertain future in the Democratic-controlled Senate, although supporters pledged to press for a vote this fall.

"No one can love a neighbor as well as a loving neighbor, and we must unleash good people of faith and works in every community in our country," Bush said in a statement issued during his European trip. "By doing so, we can extend the hope and the promise and the opportunity that is at the heart of the American dream to the heart of every child in America."

House passage was largely along party lines after a debate punctuated by an unusual moment in which one Democrat gently upbraided members of his own party for pushing away people of faith. "Sometimes, we almost ... put out a sign that says, 'You're not welcome in our party,' " said Rep. Tony Hall, D-Ohio.

"Faith heals, faith renews, faith gives the hope that this country needs," said Rep. Charles Pickering, R-Miss., before passage, which came after a one-day delay prompted by objections from GOP rebels. "Our president has called on us to remove the hindrances ... to the faith-based approach."

But Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said her Catholic education "has taught me to oppose discrimination in every form. ... The problem is that today this House will vote to legalize discrimination as we minister to the needs of the poor."

In the waning moments of debate, the bill's supporters turned back a final attempt by Democrats to ban employment discrimination under federal, state or local laws for any organization receiving government funds under the law. The vote was 234-195.

That issue led the conservative Family Research Council to claim that the bill was "in danger of being hijacked by homosexual groups." The council said it would abandon its support for the bill if it were changed to defer to state and local laws.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., has not pledged to schedule debate before next year. In a reference to the dispute over discrimination, he told reporters during the day, "I can't imagine that we could pass any bill that would tolerate slipping back into a level of tolerance that would be unacceptable in today's society."

Religious charities are permitted to receive grants in a small number of federal programs under current law.

Aid recipients would not be required to attend worship services or religious instruction, and individuals would be offered access to assistance from nonreligious organizations.